Old Believers - Kinship

Kin Groups and Descent.
The family forms the basic unit, with kin relations of the extended
family an important adjunct. Kinship is traced through the male family
name, with a version of the father's name used as the middle name
of all children. In accordance with their church writings, People closer
than eight steps of kinship are not permitted to marry. Since few
records are kept, a young couple deciding to marry must seek out elder
members of their families to determine if the proper distance exists.
The family of a godparent is also considered kin, hence ineligible for
marriage. Therefore, Old Believers assign actual kin, often brothers or
sisters, to be the godparents of the young. Living memory of the
ancestors usually extends back at least three generations.

Kinship Terminology.
Since the extended kin of the Family are important in work teams and
cooperative efforts, the kinship terminology is specific and intricate.
One set of terms is used for consanguineal kin, and another set for all
inmarrying members. The latter also differs depending on whether the
relative by marriage is male or female.